Saturday. A day to relax. To get chores done. To make lists. To cross things off. To paint. Create. To do whatever my heart desires — like bring my laptop back to bed and stay in my pjs until whenever I feel like not being in my pjs anymore!

And, it’s a day to celebrate heroes.

I wouldn’t be able to bring my laptop to bed if it weren’t for those clever folk who thought up the idea of ‘wireless’. You’re all heroes in my book!

This week I met with a friend for whom homelessness was a reality for many years. He had moved on and is now transitioning through it again. His upbeat attitude, his focus on what he needs to do to reclaim his life beyond the shelter is inspiring.

RK is a hero.

In the checkout line at the grocery store last night, the man in front of me paid the $2.37 the little old lady in front of him didn’t have to make her whole purchase. There is something very sweet and touching and inspiring, about watching an octogenarian count her pennies and then have a perfect stranger make up the difference.

That man and woman and the cashier who so patiently waited never losing her smile are heroes.

Ok. So… as I write this Marley the Great Cat is in the hallway batting around one of his toys. I think. I don’t want to check if it’s really a toy or something more…. lively… Marley never meows and right now he’s meowing.  Pause.  I’m back and this time I’m going to give myself a ‘hero credit’ because I actually did get up to check what Marley was toying with… and it really was… just a toy. Yeah!

I can be a hero even when I think it involves a mouse!  (In actuality, Marley the Great Cat is the hero because he keeps our home rodent free!)

I had a chat with the President of a community association here in Calgary last week. His community has graciously welcomed in a social services facility for many years and is currently feeling overwhelmed by changes happening to the facility. He shared their concerns, we chatted and found the common ground to foster strong relationships.

Community Association Presidents and Boards who volunteer their time to represent their communities while also making room for the ‘greater good’ are heroes.

And of course, after the amazing workshop I experienced yesterday, the Framework Institute, the Norlein Foundation who along with the United Way of Calgary & Area are championing vital social change in our city are all heroes. They are building the grid for not-for-profits to energize their work by making it possible for everyone to plug into the greatness of our city!

Framework Institute, Norlein Foundation and United Way of Calgary & Area are all heroes.

And… as I do every Saturday, I like to share an inspiring video/idea/concept I’ve found on the web. This RSA Animates talk on shifting the education paradigms by Sir Ken Robinson will wake up your mind to new ideas, and a new way of thinking about education.  Plus, I just really like the RSA format — do check out their many presentations. They’re quite brilliant!

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And today’s everyday poem at A Poetry Affair — A Bowl Full of Hungering.